Rory McIlroy Fires Back With Historic Round After Costly Penalty

Rory McIlroy wasted little time putting his controversial two-stroke penalty behind him at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship. Just one day after the ruling threatened to derail his tournament, the six-time major champion delivered a historic performance Friday, November 6, firing an impressive 9-under 63 that featured 11 birdies. It marked the most birdies McIlroy has ever recorded in a single DP World Tour round, according to Sky Sports. The remarkable turnaround came after McIlroy received a two-stroke penalty during Thursday’s opening round for improperly improving his lie.